Paul Riley says he can improve the performance of the defending champion Portland Thorns in 2014.

The new coach of the Thorns insists there is room for improvement for the team, despite the fact the squad captured the National Women's Soccer League championship last season.

One of the first changes Riley implemented is in the Thorns' style of play. Riley said he wants see more passing from the players. Passing was a point of emphasis during the Thorns first training session Monday and will be emphasized throughout training during the week.

Riley said he watched the Thorns games during the 2013 season.

"I watched the style straight away and the style needs to better. We need to be more of a passing team," Riley said. "We need to go through the midfield. We didn't go through the midfield last year. We will go through the midfield."

Another area Riley wants to change? The team's performance at home. Portland won the league title, but the win for the championship occurred at Western New York and the Thorns had to win at Kansas City in the league semifinal game. They posted a 5-4-2 record at home in 2013, a record Riley plans to improve.

The Thorns led the league in average attendance in 2013 and Riley wants to increase attendance in 2014. One way to draw more fans is to win more games at home.

"We've got to make sure that nobody wants to come play here. Nobody. They just dread the fact that they come here," Riley said. "Instead of giving them a locker room, we should give them a bathroom to change in. Just to make it a place that nobody wants to come to. Last year, we were way too nice at home. I don't think we'll be as nice at home this year."

Another way to bring in more fans is by making the games fun to watch. Riley said the style he wants the players to play will make the game easy and fun to watch for the fans.

"The style will be much more entertaining for everybody to watch," Riley said. "Our goal is to get at least one sellout this year at this stadium. If we can get five or six sellouts because we're winning 5-4 and it's as entertaining as can be - because I'm happy with 5-4. As long as we got one more than the opposition, I'll be happy."